The University of Ghana Basic School, Legon, has emerged winner of the 2026 CSIR Innovation Fair and World Food Day quiz competition after outperforming three other basic schools in a contest designed to promote food science, food security and scientific knowledge among young learners.
The school secured 70 points to finish ahead of Christ the King School, which scored 63 points, Ridge Church School with 50 points, and Forces Basic School, which recorded 47 points.
The competition was organised by the Food Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-FRI), in collaboration with CSIR Ghana, as part of activities marking the 2026 World Food Day celebration.
Held on Thursday, October 15, at the CSIR-FRI Conference Hall in Accra, the contest brought together four basic schools to demonstrate their knowledge of food science, food security, general science, current affairs and mathematics.
The quiz featured four rounds covering a range of subjects intended to test the pupils’ understanding of scientific concepts and contemporary issues.
The first round focused on basic knowledge of food science, food security and general science, while the second tested participants’ knowledge of CSIR Ghana and current affairs.
The third round examined topical issues in Ghana, the United Nations and the wider world. The final round assessed the pupils’ knowledge of basic-school mathematics.
Each participating school presented two contestants, with one student representing the school at a time. Schools were permitted to change their representatives at the beginning of a new round.
The format combined scientific knowledge with current affairs and numeracy, encouraging pupils to apply their classroom learning to issues affecting society.
The competition forms part of CSIR-FRI’s broader efforts to promote awareness of food safety, food security and post-harvest losses, while encouraging interest in science and innovation among young people.
Food security remains an important development concern, involving not only the availability of food but also people’s ability to access sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
In Ghana, efforts to strengthen food security require attention to agricultural productivity, food storage, processing, preservation and distribution, as well as the reduction of food losses along the supply chain.
Scientific research and innovation can contribute to these efforts by improving food-handling practices, extending the shelf life of food products, enhancing food safety and developing better ways to preserve agricultural produce.
By engaging basic-school pupils in these subjects, the quiz provided an opportunity to introduce young learners to the scientific principles and practical challenges associated with food systems.
The competition was held in connection with World Food Day, observed globally on October 16 each year to raise awareness of hunger and mobilise action towards achieving food security and improved nutrition.
The theme for the 2026 celebration was “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow.”
The theme places emphasis on the role of innovation in building more sustainable food systems and addressing challenges related to food production, preservation, access and nutrition.
The CSIR Innovation Fair was organised to enlighten stakeholders on scientific research and innovations, particularly in areas relevant to food safety, food security and the reduction of post-harvest losses.
As a research institution, CSIR Ghana works through its specialised institutes to develop scientific knowledge and technologies that address national development needs.
The Food Research Institute’s work in food processing, preservation, safety and utilisation is particularly relevant to efforts to reduce waste and improve the quality and availability of food.
The performance of the University of Ghana Basic School and the other participating schools highlights the value of science-focused educational activities in developing pupils’ curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Competitions of this nature can complement classroom instruction by exposing learners to practical applications of science and encouraging them to take an interest in research, technology and innovation from an early age.
The results placed the University of Ghana Basic School first with 70 points, followed by Christ the King School with 63 points, Ridge Church School with 50 points, and Forces Basic School with 47 points.
The CSIR Innovation Fair and World Food Day celebration therefore provided a platform to combine education, scientific awareness and food-security advocacy, while recognising the academic performance of the participating pupils.
The victory marks a notable achievement for the University of Ghana Basic School and underscores the potential of young learners to engage meaningfully with scientific issues that affect Ghana’s development.
By Joseph Armstrong Gold-Alorgbey
